Topic: Afghan National Army
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Top 3 lessons the US military has learned in Afghanistan
As robust defense budget wranglings continue on Capitol Hill, much of the debate about one of the Pentagon's largest expenses – Afghanistan – centers around just how effective the decade-long fight has been. Here are the top three lessons that US military has learned in Afghanistan.
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Threats to US: Pentagon officials drop three surprises
Pentagon’s key intelligence officials warned of 'current and future worldwide threats' to US national security in a congressional hearing Thursday. Here are three top surprises.
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/19
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 04/27
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 03/31
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After the US pulls out, will CIA rely more on Afghan mercenaries?
Thousands of Afghan mercenaries are believed to be helping America battle Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies. But they're accused of flagrant human rights abuses.
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Deadly Taliban Kabul attack highlights US reliance on private contractors
Eight private contractors were killed in a Taliban attack in Kabul Saturday, serving as a sharp reminder of the US military's heavy – and controversial – reliance on contractors.
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Kabul suicide bombing kills 12 Americans, one Canadian
Twelve Americans, one Canadian, and four Afghans were killed in the Kabul suicide attack Saturday.
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Pressuring Pakistan, Afghanistan's Karzai signs deal with India
Afghanistan signed a strategic partnership with India today that allows arms transfers and military training in India. The move puts pressure on Pakistan to rein in militants.
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Afghan Army's next hurdle: logistics
If the Afghan Army is to take over security in Afghanistan, it must be able to effectively resupply weapons, food, and other supplies without foreign air support or technical assistance.
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Afghanistan: NATO's night raids cause more harm than good, report says
A dramatic rise in the number of NATO's night raids in Afghanistan, aimed at capturing insurgents, is souring relations with the Afghan people, according to the new report.
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Terrorism & Security
US ambassador to Afghanistan downplays Kabul attack as security doubts growAlthough Ambassador Crocker downplayed Tuesday's Kabul attack as 'not a very big deal,' they may have undermined US and Afghan assertions that Kabul's security situation is stable.
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Battle for Afghanistan's Gambir Jungle: Into the 'Valley of Death'
The first, furious hours of Operation Hammer Down took a heavy toll on 1st Platoon. As the Taliban picked off platoon leaders, there was little the Americans could do but wait for nightfall.
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Afghan war: What some local officials are willing to do for peace
Some local Afghan officials are hoping to end the decade-long Afghan war by negotiating with the Taliban – province by province.
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Will US exit strategy work in Afghanistan? Brutal valley emerges as test.
US forces have had to return to a key outpost they left to Afghan forces in March. Now, the US commander there is trying to forge a new partnership to bring the Afghans up to speed.
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Brazen Taliban attack strikes British Council in Kabul (video)
A resurgent Taliban took responsibility for the attack on the British Council in Kabul, which came on the anniversary of Afghanistan's independence from Britain nearly a century ago.
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Deadly helicopter crash shows danger of Osama bin Laden-style raids [VIDEO]
A NATO helicopter was shot down while on a nighttime raid in Afghanistan, killing 31 US special-operations troops. Nighttime helicopter raids are an essential tool of counterterrorism.
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As NATO pulls back, Afghans worry about Taliban's return
As NATO presence recedes, the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan’s eastern Nuristan Province and Kunar Province has some Afghans concerned.
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As troop drawdown nears, is NATO surge working in Afghanistan?
As Obama's promise of a troop drawdown nears, the US military says the surge of tens of thousands of NATO reinforcements that began last year has won some and lost some against the Taliban but needs more time to succeed.
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Afghan security forces still not so secure after NATO boost
NATO surge strategy aims to boost Afghan security forces. But, as the recent assassination of a provincial police chief of Kandahar showed, they're still far form secure.
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Karzai warns NATO over air strikes, but are there other options?
Afghan leader Hamid Karzai issues another ultimatum over deadly air strikes. But a shift in NATO strategy might result in even more civilian casualties.
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Terrorism & Security
Deadly attack on police compound adds to 'drumbeat' of violence in AfghanistanAttackers stormed a police compound in Afghanistan's Khost province, killing at least three police officers Sunday. It's latest in a series of insurgent attacks on government, military, or police compounds.
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/19
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The Monitor's View: After bin Laden: Cautionary hopes on Afghanistan war
The death of Osama bin Laden may well hasten the end of the war in Afghanistan. But we don't know that yet, and until the US sees signs of progress, it should stay the course.
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Pentagon's rosy report of Afghanistan war raises questions
The Pentagon cites 'tangible progress' in the Afghanistan war in a new report, but it neglects to include a key map of Taliban clout and notes problems in the Afghan Army.
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 04/27
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Backchannels
As Petraeus exits, US interests in Afghanistan far from securedGen. David Petraeus is giving up command of the Afghanistan war to take charge of the CIA. Announcement of the shift comes during a bad week for NATO in Afghanistan.
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What Obama's security team shakeup could mean for Afghanistan
The loss of America’s top three military and diplomatic leaders at once worries Afghans. But some see the potential for a fresh start with President Karzai.
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Taliban attack signals focus on infiltrating security forces
An attack in Kabul on Monday suggests that the Taliban have shifted from direct engagements with NATO and Afghan forces in favor of being able to infiltrate secure compounds and carry out suicide attacks.
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Assassinated Kandahar police chief was optimistic about security
A Taliban suicide bomber on Friday killed the Kandahar police chief, who recently noted to the Monitor gains in creating a 'safe and secure environment' in the restive province.
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